Daily Readings - Mon Nov 28 2022
Isaiah
2In that day, the seedling of the Lord will have magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth will be greatly-esteemed and a source of joy to those who will have been saved out of Israel3And this shall be: all who are left behind in Zion, and who remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, all who have been written in life in Jerusalem4Then the Lord will have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and will have washed away the blood of Jerusalem from its midst, by means of a spirit of judgment and a spirit of intense devotion5And the Lord will create, over every place of Mount Zion and wherever he is called upon, a cloud by day and a smoke with the splendor of burning fire by night. For protection will be over every glory6And there will be a tabernacle for shade from the heat in daytime, and for security, and for protection from the whirlwind and from rain
Matthew
5And when he had entered into Capernaum, a centurion approached, petitioning him6and saying, "Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and badly tormented.7And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him.8And responding, the centurion said: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed9For I, too, am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.10And, hearing this, Jesus wondered. And he said to those following him: "Amen I say to you, I have not found so great a faith in Israel11For I say to you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and they shall sit at table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven13And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go, and just as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And the servant was healed at that very hour
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the themes of trust in God’s providence and the universality of His kingdom. In the first reading from Isaiah, we are presented with a vision of a restored Zion, where God’s people are purified and protected under His tabernacle. This passage, written during a time of impending judgment for Israel, offers a message of hope and future restoration. Isaiah emphasizes that God will wash away the sins of His people and provide a place of refuge, symbolizing His eternal care and protection.
In the Gospel, Matthew recounts the story of the centurion who approaches Jesus with humility and unwavering faith. The centurion, recognizing his unworthiness, trusts that Jesus’ word alone can heal his servant. Jesus, marveling at this faith, not only heals the servant but also declares that many from the east and west will join the patriarchs in the kingdom of heaven. This narrative underscores the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan, highlighting that faith transcends boundaries and is the key to entering the kingdom.
These readings connect through the theme of trust in God’s plan. Isaiah’s vision encourages us to trust in God’s future promises, while the centurion’s faith demonstrates trust in God’s immediate providence. Together, they remind us to have faith in God’s timing and to embrace the inclusivity of His kingdom. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even in uncertainty, and to approach Him with humility. Let us, like the centurion, open our hearts to God’s grace, recognizing that His kingdom is open to all who have faith. May we find shelter under His tabernacle and trust in His promise of eternal refuge.